iPad Air 2 - A field report.

iPad Air 2 - A field report.

Apple iPad Air 2 24.6 cm (9.7 inches) Tablet PC (WiFi / LTE, 128GB memory) Silver (Personal Computers)

Customer Review

For clarity of the text a small table of contents:

1. Introduction
2. First impression
3. Hardware
4. iOS 8, setting up, commissioning
5. delivery / accessories / supplements Purchases
6. Prices / resale value
7. Criticism
8. Conclusion

1. Introduction
After the iPad 4 and the iPad Air is the iPad Air 2 my third tablet from Apple. As with the two previous models, I would also like the 6th generation of the iPad formulate a brief account of my impressions and experiences. As a user, I use the iPad mainly in the private sphere as a mediator between various networked devices such as. Desktop / Notebook, TV, NAS and a photo camera (integrated WLAN). The review is seeking to initiate or continue any discussions (for example: Android vs. iOS). The decision for or against a particular system must meet each own at the end and is made from many, often very different, aspects out.
Based on my own personal perspective, the following report is nevertheless (I hope) to be informative and helpful in deciding whether this tablet for you may come into question. The review relates to an iPad Air 2 with Wifi (Cellular).

2. First impression
Naturally find the first impression the externals more attention. Compared to its predecessor therefore now on the new home button (incl. Touch ID sensor) that again reduced depth and slightly lighter weight fall, apart from the unchanged basic structure, to:
Depth / thickness - new: 6,1 mm; previously: 7.5 mm
Weight - 437 g new; previously: 469 g

I suspect that with the depth reached by 6.1mm now a limit is reached, which would be below make no sense (in terms of stability). The lighter weight gives a comfort, which is the longer of course keep an advantage. But again: another underflow would probably be at the expense of the still solid, and stable-quality impression. These points are not to be misunderstood, the Air 2 fits comfortably in the hands and is stable. I personally would like to see but no thinner tablet.
Next notice that the side switch for immediate shutdown tone has disappeared. Here the possibilities remain for shutdown on the phonetic / quiet switch and the control center. I do not mind the fact that I have this switch used only very rarely. But I know users who were very concerned about staying away of the switch.
On various occasions, we read that new iPad would provide the template for the form factor of the new iPhone 6 (6+). I would agree only partly because the new iPhone is having a radius at the cover glass toward the edges completely new design accents. Of the externals forth therefore the iPad Apple is rather a gentle facelift.
The screen / touch screen function as a further external feature, as usual, very fluently and without any stuttering. Whether when opening apps, while taking advantage of graphics elaborate games or videos, etc .. Based on a modified display technology (less built-up layers) you feel the way that the indicator moves closer to the Glasoberfläche- and thus formally to the user , Even viewed from the side you can see the display contents of the display very well. The improvement of these so-called viewing angle stability compared to its predecessor is already very noticeable. The reflections on the display have also slightly reduced.
The optimized rear called iSight camera with its 8 megapixel instead of 5 better than the previous model. New features such as time lapse, slow motion or a better facial recognition are a nice added value. However, the camera of the iPad Air 2 does not work with the same auto focus as the new iPhone. The points for the camera I find for me personally not very important, because I simply do not use the photo capabilities on iPad.

3. Hardware
The real changes and innovations of the iPad Air 2 can be found this time inside. With the changes to Apple catapulted to the current technological tablet tip: RAM, processor / timing, co-processor, graphics processor, display, battery and Barometric Sensor. If you want to talk about these things, experience shows that, to avoid for a few incomprehensible, technology vocabulary not quite. I try nevertheless to be brief and easy to understand. >> Those who are not interested in this, I ask this section easy to skip.
The technical parameters play interestingly for Apple's marketing a subordinate role (the user is likely to be distracted by his overall experience). For example, the information on the memory (RAM) of mobile devices like iPad or iPhone will not be announced regularly. Following the release of the iPad on 10/24/2014 it was a whole week not known which memory was installed for now. Only with the disassembly of the unit by the iFixit experts was clear that Apple has doubled the RAM in the new iPad:

2010 = iPad 1 = 256MB
2011 = iPad 2 = 512MB
2012 = iPad 3 = 1GB
2012 = iPad 4 = 1GB
2013 = iPad Air = 1GB
2014 = iPad Air 2 = 2GB

The other specifications of the new Apple A8X - SoC (system on a chip) have undergone revision. So Apple built the first time in a SoC three processor cores in a 64 - bit architecture with a clock speed of 1.5GHz. The new graphics processor (PowerVR GX6650) to the extended basic parameters fits also on. What use the new parameters? In other words: is the reamed performance also for the user? Definitely yes - without any qualification runs everything as I was previously used to doing it with the predecessors, perfectly round and without any lag. One also has the feeling that everything (open apps, graphic elaborate games) direct and responsive even faster. To substantiate this as brief overview the results known benchmark tests:

Geekbench 3 in multicore Score Test:
iPad 3 (CPU: A5X, dual-core Cortex, 1.0 GHz, GPU: PowerVR SGX543MP4) = 497
iPad 4 (CPU: A6X, Dual Core Swift, 1.4 GHz, GPU: PowerVR SGX554MP4) = 1,408
iPad Air (CPU: A7, Dual Core Cyclone, 1.4 GHz, GPU: PowerVR G6430) = 2,643
iPad Air 2 (CPU: A8X, Triple Core Cyclone 2.Gen, 1.5GHz, GPU:. PowerVR GX6650) = 4,526

3DMark Ice Storm, Unlimited Score:
iPad 3 = 4,050
iPad 4 = 10.620
iPad Air = 14,940
iPad Air 2 = 21 776

The partially significant nominal improvements I would interpret that one should be in any case for some time, as regards the technical equipment on the safe side with this iPad. The iPad Air 2 features in addition to the accelerometer and gyro sensor is also available by an entirely new barometric sensor, which can measure the air pressure and derived from the relative height. In the field of sensors, the new M8 motion coprocessor controls the activities.
The integrated WLAN module works fine. Is the iPad a Wi-Fi network is known, the machine selects a self-employed. Wireless disconnections I have no experience on the part of the device. Incidentally, I use an iPad without cellular (ie without a SIM card) because I make the Internet over the home Wi-Fi network or on the road via a hotspot of your own smartphone. So I can save for the tablet an additional SIM card for which I am in charge (contract; or for prepaid recharge).

Accumulator
Due to the narrower design, the optimized consumption in displays and in spite upgraded processors Apple has chosen a battery with less capacity to build in (new: 27.3 Wh; previously 32.4 Wh). The battery life has not changed, he felt, depending on usage, with me about 1.5 to 2 days. The load times again I notice due to the weaker power supply (see chapter delivery) deterioration. So needed the iPad by 10% residual charge starting before 5 hours to get to 100%.

Sound / speakers
The speaker sound has improved markedly compared to the previous model. It's amazing what can come out of a sound as a flat tablet. A slight Resonanzvibrieren as described by other users, I notice also. If you hold the tablet with both hands horizontally, you can feel from about 2/3 of the maximum volume (and a little clearer on the speaker side) a very slight vibration on the tablet back. This I did not know from previous models. I do not mind the point - but I could imagine that it might be perceived by some users already disturbing.

4. iOS 8, setting up, commissioning
The initial set-up / commissioning work as always simple and straightforward. With pre-installed operating system iOS 8.1 you will be on-the-hand and taken out by the establishment. Here passes one (no matter whether you're an initial or subsequent unit) a list of questions to which answers are needed more than 2 minutes. The sensitive issues for locating, iCloud keys etc. you can answer "no" first time with. All with no or yes answer questions about device settings can be easily corrected by the way in the settings of the device later.
They used previously an iPad, to create the best of this before changing to the new device a backup through iTunes or iTunes without a backup by native Wi-Fi in the iCloud.
Within the Ersteinrichtungsprozesses you will be asked if you iPad Setup- as "new device" or want to restore from a backup. If you have selected the Restore option, you can therefore use within 15 minutes his new unit with all the former settings, apps, photos / videos, wallpapers of your old appliance. Reloading the apps itself naturally takes some Zeit.Vor initial setup, it is recommended the following things / information ready to hold: Apple ID and password; Forgot the local wireless network.

5. delivery / accessories / supplements Purchases
The package offers no surprises. As with the iPad predecessors this is kept very spartan: besides the iPad itself is in a box, only the Lightning to USB cable and AC adapter included. Why Apple in Air 2 a slightly weaker power supply with 10 Watt attaches (formerly 12W USB Power Adapter) does not open up to me and a bit disappointed. Further additions are a Quick Start Guide in several languages ​​and the (inevitable) Apple sticker.
As a small addition I count here simply out my supplementary purchases on:

- SD card (Apple) -Lightning Adapter
- USB to (Apple) -Lightning Adapter
- Belkin aluminum holder FlipBlade for iPad among others Tablets
- Booq Cobra sling messenger bag for iPad (mini, Air), etc. Tablets, gray
- Mumbi sleeve white transparent

The two adapters from Apple, the holder (FlipBlade Belkin) and the pocket (booq) I use with the best experiences since the iPad 4. Why no screen protection: since my first iPad I always decided against mounting a display sheet. Namely, when regular back cover, holder and bag (and mglw. Additionally Cover or Smart Case) uses the display in my view, is adequately protected. I could in any case sell the previous iPad models with no visible signs of wear on the display.

6. Prices / resale value
In the media, this is rarely published, but this time the prices of most iPad models have been lowered. Probably due to the looming saturation of the tablet market and stagnant sales. I always buy the iPad since the iPad 4 with the same equipment (64GB, WiFi, White), can the development of the EIA price of this model represented as follows:

2012 - iPad 4: 699
2013 - iPad Air: 659
2014 - iPad Air 2: 589
(All Euro Information: incl. VAT.)

One problem with the Apple prices is that they will remain almost unchanged throughout the period of the annual product cycle, ie there is only one (if any) very low price decline. Special offers can also be found rarely. That's why I used the end of November a bid for the Black Friday. Because the Apple online store has this year not involved, I used a daily offer in another known online retailer, which was around 10% below the MSRP price.
I want as little service perform the official EIA prices from Apple here. Please based on these prices. Before all offers which are above these quoted prices, can only be alerted because they are frivolous.

Wi-Fi:
16GB = 489; 64GB = 589; 128GB = 709
Wi-Fi + Cellular:
16GB = 609; 64GB = 709; 128GB = 809
(All Euro Information: incl. VAT.)

Resale value
From my own experience I can report that to be achieved resale prices of used iPads (now whether the known online auction house, classifieds portals or companies which buy used electronics) are high. Those who wish can here with a retail price - minus a discount of only approx. Expected after the first year - 150 of the purchase price. This would be a new iPad if you sold it after a year, cost only a little more than 10 / month.

7. Criticism
Apple remains true to his philosophy. An ecosystem of hardware and software, which has a tendency to foreclose outwards. The reasons are manifold: economic, safety reasons (no malware), focus the user experience from the mere use
This may, depending on usage demands and perspective, demand but also have advantages. There are certain restrictions on the part of Apple, which I can not fully comprehend. For example, why is the Lightning-SD card adapter available only for the iPad, and not for the iPhone. I definitely recommend to all interested parties before purchasing, building on its own usage requirements to inform about possible advantages or disadvantages. Who besipielsweise notes after buying an iPad, the device just does not Speichererweiterungsmöglichkeit-, no removable battery or no miniHDMI port, may then not be surprised.

8. Conclusion
While the new iPhones convey 6 and 6 Plus a new feeling, the new iPad Air 2 feels just as the previous iPad but just something thinner and lighter. Point. Anyone toying with the purchase of iPads for years, bringing with the new iPad Air currently one of the best tablets ever to the house. Its technical performance parameters and performance are impressive. Apple relies on an ambitious model care - at least as regards the inner technical specifications. Critical issues such as the narrow scope of supply, the power moderately weaker charger or a slight Resonanzvibrieren when playing music cloud the overall impression only slightly from my perspective.
The iPad is and remains a top Tablet, which I love to use and that will not think away like from my everyday life.

Concluding remark
The report reflects my subjective opinion and personal impression. I hope the text is still fair and was for one or another of the benefit. Questions can be made happy about the comments.

China scrap 1 2 Rank: 1/5
May 4
Screen Protector Z3compact Rank: 4/5
April 10
Good but 610 Rank: 3/5
December 27
2 bath toy Rank: 5/5
May 1
good product. 5620 Rank: 5/5
August 16

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